Watershed Management Group removes invasive plants to aid in river flow, land restoration in Tucson

TUCSON – On an overcast November morning, volunteers got to work to restore local river flow.

Drought and decreasing water availability have been ongoing problems throughout Arizona. In Tucson, drought along with new land developments are causing decreases in vegetation and wildlife habitat.

Watershed Management Group is a Tucson-based nonprofit that aims to fix this problem. The group aids in local water conservation, land restoration and river flow. It holds regular events to help the environment such as cleanups, workshops, fundraisers and classes. The group has a club called the River Run Network, which includes a biweekly email with invitations to events like creek walks and family education days to help restore Tucson’s heritage of flowing rivers.

Watershed Management Group worked to remove an invasive plant from a riparian area in the Tanque Verde community of Tucson on Nov. 18.
At a volunteer event in Tucson’s Tanque Verde, arundo roots are removed to prevent further growth on Nov. 18, 2023. (Photo by Hunter Fore/Cronkite News)

At a volunteer event in Tucson’s Tanque Verde, arundo roots are removed to prevent further growth on Nov. 18, 2023. (Photo by Hunter Fore/Cronkite News)

The species of grass Arundo donax, more commonly known as “giant reed,” is an invasive species in Tucson’s riparian ecosystem, the wetland area between a body of water and land. Invasive species in those areas are harmful to the ecosystem, wildlife and the city’s groundwater supply.